epitaph

noun

ep·​i·​taph ˈe-pə-ˌtaf 

1

: an inscription on or at a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there

2

: a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or something past

epitaphial

ˌe-pə-ˈta-fē-əl 

adjective

epitaphic

ˌe-pə-ˈta-fik 

adjective

Did you know?

An inscription on a tomb is an epitaph, as is, by extension, anything written as if to be inscribed on a tomb. Probably the earliest surviving epitaphs are those written on ancient Egyptian sarcophagi and coffins. In Elizabethan times, epitaphs became much more common in English. Many of the best known are literary memorials (often deliberately witty) not intended for a tomb. Benjamin Franklin’s epitaph for himself plays on his trade as a printer, hoping that he will “appear once more in a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by the Author.” The 20th-century writer and wit Dorothy Parker’s suggested epitaphs include “I told you I was sick” and “If you can read this, you’re standing too close.”

Examples of epitaph in a Sentence

The epitaph reads “In loving memory of John Gray: husband, father, soldier.”

Recent Examples on the Web

The Romans annexed what is now the south of France—where modern Vence lies, just west of the Italian border—in 125 B.C.E. The ancient Romans have a reputation for detailed epitaphs. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

The flood of late-night epitaphs respectfully flatters his image as a humble servant but doesn't explain the complexity of his character. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

Roger Tomlin, a historian at the University of Oxford, thinks the engraving is likely part of an ancient funerary epitaph. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

She was recently asked what would be on her epitaph, according to her publishing company. —Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English epitaphe, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin epitaphium, from Latin, funeral oration, from Greek epitaphion, from epi- + taphos tomb, funeral

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

epitaph

noun

ep·​i·​taph ˈep-ə-ˌtaf 

: something written (as on a gravestone) in memory of a dead person